Page 73 of Damned
Pagan nodded. “He wants to, yes, ma’am. But he’s dealing with a couple things, and he wants you safe now.”
“What’s going on? Did Damon Vick find him?”
“No, ma’am. It’s the other way around. Kruze intercepted Vick, got the drop on him. Chance is on his way to pick up Vick right now. He won’t bother you anymore.” Pagan cocked his head, a funny sparkle in his eyes. “Man, you’re sure pretty. Looks like Kruze finally found who he’s been looking for all these years.”
Bree blushed. “You mean me?”
“Yeah. You.” Pagan ran a hand over his head again. “Been worrying about him a long time, ma’am. Damned glad to meet you.” He stuck a hand out, and Bree accepted the gesture. But panic flared once Pagan’s much larger hand wrapped around hers. PTSD made every little thing so hard!
Pagan must’ve understood. Graciously, he released her and stepped back. “Or…” He looked around the narrow cleft in the rock where Bree and Kruze had taken refuge. “Guess we could stay here until he finishes what he’s doing.”
“What’s that?” Bree asked nervously.
Pagan grunted. “The usual. He’s going after a couple jerks, some guy who thinks he’s an authentic Turkish general and his kiss-ass stooge.”
“General Berfendeand Josephus? Good Lord, no. They’re here? Kruze is going after them? Now?”
“No worries, Miss Banks. He’s pretending he’s Vick. Not sure what he’ll do next, but if I know Kruze, it won’t be pretty. Not since they threatened you. They did, didn’t they?”
Bree nodded. “And my daughter. Lantz told Vick to—”Darn.She’d done it again; said too much, too soon.
She snapped her mouth shut. At least she hadn’t told Pagan that Kruze was her daughter’s father. Yet. But she hadn’t planned on mentioning Robin to Kruze, either. That was the problem with lies. Eventually, the truth caught up to the liar, and here she was. Unable to keep track of everything she’d said, but never going to out Kruze. He could do that himself.
“Aw, you got a little girl?” Pagan’s voice turned to sugar and honey. “What’s her name? How old is she?”
“Robin. She’s three.”
“My wife wants a baby real bad,” Pagan admitted. “But it’s not happening fast enough for her. Every month gets harder and harder. We’ve both been to her doctor, but there’s nothing wrong with either of us. Pal just needs to sit back and relax. It’ll happen when it happens.”
Pagan was easy to talk with. Bree wished she could offer him coffee or something. Which was bizarre, offering anything. It’s not like he was a guest in this measly cave.
“Umm…” She stalled, caught between leaving Kruze or waiting for him.
“We’ve only got a few yards up these rocks to go, Bree,” Pagan said quietly. “I rappelled down, and I brought a harness to take you up with me, if you’re ready to leave. There’s no way you can fall. All you’ve got to do is hold on tight until we get over the top. You can even keep your eyes closed if you want. No hurry, no worry. You say when, and I’ll take you home.”
Bree summoned her courage—and her trust. If Kruze wanted her to go with Pagan, then she would. Glancing around at the few things they’d brought with them, she said, “O-o-okay then. Let’s go home.”
